In acknowledgment of the growing importance of migration in the regional socio-economic environment, and its impact on national and international politics, the Institute of Asian Studies established the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) in January 1995. ARCM builds upon the resources of the Indochinese Refugee Information Center (IRIC) which was formed in 1987.

                    ARCM was initially supported by Chulalongkorn University, the Ford Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). ARCM has been designated Chulalongkorn University Center of Excellence on Asian Migration for 2005-2006.